Scientology group offers anti-drug programs at city schools

The Scientology group has infiltrated dozens of city schools and the NYPD by running anti-drug programs. (Tameek Williams/teemonee.com)

Tom Cruise's controversial church has infiltrated dozens of city schools and the NYPD — by running anti-drug programs.

A Scientology-backed group called the Foundation for a Drug-Free World boasts on its Facebook page that it has spread its anti-drug message — free of charge — to elementary, middle and high schools students in all five boroughs.

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Some parents were outraged.

"We didn't know anything about that, but Scientology, to me it's a kind of ungodly thing that I don't really support," said Claude Baptiste, whose son is a sixth-grader at Junior High School 14 in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. "I wouldn't want my kids to be a part of it, it's not based on my fundamental religious beliefs."

The group claims on its website that there's an urgent need for its services.

The Foundation for a Drug-Free World, a Scientology group, promotes its program for schools on its website.

"Young people today are exposed earlier than ever to drugs," the website reads. "You probably know someone who has been affected by drugs, directly or indirectly."

In a Jan. 23 posting that linked to the Department of Education's Web page, the group said it was providing "free drug education events" to mark something called "Respect for All Week."

The group's page noted that it had spread the drugs-are-evil message to students at JHS 14, Public School 111 in Manhattan and Bronx Regional High School. The group claims some of the events were within the last several weeks.

The foundation also boasted it has worked with NYPD youth programs and has even trained school safety agents.

A high-ranking NYPD source said that the department has no direct relationship with the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, although the group has asked police to come to various dinners and events to speak about drug prevention programs.

"We have in the past gone at the request of the foundation to talk to the group about our programs for preventing drug use by kids," a high-ranking police source told the Daily News. "We've done that for many years and we do it for any group that asks for it. We limit our discussions to basic prevention, tips and Police Department programs."

The foundation posted photos from two months ago showing a workshop in an auditorium packed with uniformed school safety agents and two celebrity guests — current Miss New York Jillian Tapper and one of her predecessors, Amanda Mason.

The school system insisted it was not in cahoots with the Scientologists, a religion founded by sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard that critics have labeled a cult. Scientology has gained a foothold in Hollywood, claiming Cruise and John Travolta as followers.

"The Department of Education has no contracts or partnership with this organization and does not refer schools to them or recommend their services," spokeswoman Devora Kaye said.

But individual schools can partner with outside organizations as long as it does not violate any laws or department regulations, an official said. They're in the clear, as long as there's no religious instruction. Sources said the Scientologists were likely invited by the principals.

Foundation honcho Meghan Fialkoff said they have nothing to hide and "any person can view or order our full curriculum online."

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"The program is sponsored by many different organizations including the Church of Scientology," she said. "We have been to more than 600 locations in the city including public schools, private schools, religious organizations and after-school programs."

Fialkoff, who says she is both Jewish and a Scientologist, said they don't push religion on the kids.

"It's a secular, nonprofit program," she said. "Anything that anyone says about it is just someone trying to make this into something that it's not, and that's just unfortunate."

Nayle Herrera, 27, whose daughters are in kindergarten and the first grade at Public School 111 in Chelsea, was clear.